A -- United States Renal Data System - Special Studies Center - Economics

The contract involves the National Institute of Diabetes, and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, negotiating an 18 3/4-month extension with the Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation for the United States Renal Data System - Special Studies Center - Economics (USRDS-SSC-Economics). This extension will prolong the contract's performance period from April 9, 2005, to October 29, 2006, allowing for alignment in the completion timelines of all associated USRDS contracts, including the Coordination Center and the four Special Studies Centers. The USRDS-SSC-Economics center is responsible for conducting the Comprehensive Dialysis Study (CDS) and additional special data studies using national and regional samples supplied by the USRDS Coordinating Center, as well as existing data from the USRDS database. The synchronization of the periods of performance across all USRDS centers is necessary because the CDS is a joint effort requiring simultaneous progression by the Coordination Center and the Special Studies Centers. The contract extension will be negotiated under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation clause 52.243-2, which deals with changes in cost reimbursement contracts. This modification aims to ensure smooth coordination and completion of the CDS and other related studies within a unified timeframe.